Samsung Fascinate Constant Dropped Calls

[akb1249]

Hi there, I've had my samsung fascinate for less than a month and I'm having major issues. Almost right away, the phone started dropping calls. It drops every conversation I have at least once. So I went into the store after the second week and they sent me a replacement phone. I activated it and sent away my old phone. The same day, the new phone started dropping calls. So, the next day I went into the Verizon store and they called the tech services and did a switch update, whatever that might be. I'm not exactly sure. The guy gave me my phone back, saying that I should be all set. Of course, this wasn't the case. It kept dropping calls. So then I tried calling *228 and updating my roaming capabilities, still no change. Today, I called the verizon tech services myself and told them about my issue, but all the guy said was that my phone has only recorded two dropped calls since I got it, so he doesn't see anything wrong. He said that I should start recording when my calls drop by hitting # # # send so then they can analyze it more in terms of where I am at the time. I will do this, but I'm sooo incredibly frustrated. They also had me update my roaming capabilities again.

No matter where I am, it drops the calls. I can have no service, or I can have 4 bars and it will still drop. It's not specific to the person I'm calling either. It drops in EVERY conversation. I'm just getting so tired of calling back whoever I'm talking to, just to have it drop again. It's seriously incredibly frustrating and I don't know what else to do. I don't have the money to cancel this phone and pay for a new one.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[DM6156]

I've experienced similar issue with dropped calls, but for me, it was only at my house. After many intermittent calls to vz (I was simply too angry/frustrated to call after every dropped call) vz sent a tech out to measure signal quality in my neighborhood and turns out i live in what they said was a "marginal coverage area".  They presented 2 options, cancel contract with no fees or try a network extender.  This was after having swapped phones several times - you may have to do this a few times to appease them. For you, if you are traveling in areas with differnet towers, the network extender is not an option. it uses broadband to make calls.

I'd suggest you call and report EVERY dropped call. Even if you just call once a day, note the times of the dropped calls and who the call was with (phone # and if you know if they are on or off network) and if the call was outgoing or incoming.

I know, it's going to be a major inconvenience for you. SORRY, i know how you feel, been there and done that, but after being persistent enough, you CAN get results.    Sad to say it wasn't  until the vz tech was attempting to help me and was disconnected at least 5 times in a few minutes that vz FINALLY took action and tested the signal in my neighborhood.

Be persistenat and Good luck!

[AnthonyTa_VZW · Accepted solution]

I understand your frustrations and concerns you are having with your Samsung Fascinate.  I actually have the same device and would like to assist you with finding a solution to the problem.  Figuring you are experiencing these dropped calls in multiple locations we know its not a network or tower issue.  However, there was a recent software update to the Fascinate that addressed signal issues.

I would like to suggest going to Settings icon > then About phone > System updates > then Check New.  Most current version is I500.ED04.  The updates just started pushing out to devices on 6/9/11, and the manufacturer is still in the process of pushing those updates out to devices in stages.

Let me know if that helps with your signal, dropped call issue.

[SFObrien]

---

AnthonyTa_VZW wrote:

I understand your frustrations and concerns you are having with your Samsung Fascinate.  I actually have the same device and would like to assist you with finding a solution to the problem.  Figuring you are experiencing these dropped calls in multiple locations we know its not a network or tower issue.  However, there was a recent software update to the Fascinate that addressed signal issues.

I would like to suggest going to Settings icon > then About phone > System updates > then Check New.  Most current version is I500.ED04.  The updates just started pushing out to devices on 6/9/11, and the manufacturer is still in the process of pushing those updates out to devices in stages.

Let me know if that helps with your signal, dropped call issue.

---

AnthonyTa,

Not trying to interfere but have you read about all the issues in above threads with ED04?  I don't know if I would recommend updating to it right now. It is hit and miss on working correctly.  I would hate to see the guy go from dropped calls to not getting calls.

[WandaH]

My phone is at version SCH-I500.ED05 and I still am having dropped calls.  This forum problem has not been solved.

[Himdroids]

drops more calls than come through!

[Himdroids]

Verizon CS no help at all with this issue.  They wanted us to swap people around on our accounts, offered to send a charge but had to renew a two year contract, or another phone she didnt want.   I went to the BBB with this.  They know the phone is messed up and missing calls but make you jump through all these hoops for nothing?  There should be a class action about this phone.

[JenniElle]

Let us know how the claim with the BBB goes, please!

I've been seriously considering filing a complaint with the BBB myself due the the run around with this phone and Verizon refusing to do anything about it but force me to take another refurbished phone that I don't want and won't fix the problem. It's clearly not a good product with a multitude of known issues.

I've been pushing to re-upgrade to a PHONE OF MY CHOICE since this phone clearly has issues. I am not even asking for a free phone or even a refund for what I paid for the Fascinate, Im just asking Verizon to let me re-do my upgrade since they sold me (and everyone else who stupidly bought a Fascinate) a horrible product with so many problems. I don't want another refurbished phone that they force you to take of "like" quality....because, lets face it, the Fascinate is obviously not very good quality.

[BabySheep]

I am having the same problem! I have experienced this before with Verizon and MANY Blackberry's... After about 2-3 referbs I am sick and tired of playing the game as I am sure you are. In the past when this has happened I would call and explain my dilemma to a representative (very nice and calm, you can't get them to do what you want if you are mean), I explain I am a 10+ year Customer and for one feel I should be grandfathered into the whole 1yr upgrading they used to do, but I am willing to pay a discounted price for a new phone and I refuse to continue getting the same model. If the person I spoke with doesn't break say thank you and next day or a few hours later call back! I simply say "I would like to know how much it would cost me to cancel all my lines of service today?" of course I got my answer but then the guy asked why... So I explain and repeat my frustration with the other very rude representatives. The man apologizes profusely and agrees with me... I get 2yr upgrade price on a new phone... Stupid me picks the Fascinate and I am about to go threw it all again... I am a long time customer and Don't mind being patient and making calls cause you will eventually get the right rep and be happy... Or hey it may be cheaper to cancel and switch to a new provider than buy a phone at full price... My advice stick with it be nice and patient, It has worked for me many times I never go over 1yr with the same phone and a couple years with the Blackberry's it was a couple phones a year.... I have never paid over 2yr promo price for a new phone.....

[JO76]

I have had the same problem..Also people will call me and it does not even show that they called and unless they leave a voicemail I usually do not find out until I talk to them later... My cousin had the same phone and same problem and while they sent me a refurbished phone they let her upgrade to the phone of her choice with no penalties. I guess it just depends on the customer service representative that you talk to. I have found that I get better help when I call than go to a Verizon store.

[edamon]

I have the Fascinate and Charge.

Both drop calls on a consistant basis (7-8 times a day at least) with full bars and signal sitting at -71 dBM (which is pretty healthy).

The Fascinate is the worst of the two, it drops calls easily 10-12 times a day. This is a known issue and reported by many across the web (and I'm running v. ED05).

Bottom line is this phone is lemon and has been from the get go.

Btw, I've wiped the phone, factory reset the phone, etc. Nothing addresses the issue.

-d

[Lettie]

After reading the posts before me, I now realize I am not the only one with this issue. I feel as if my phone is "possessed" and has a mind of it's own. Since this last upgrade a couple of weeks ago, my Fascinate has pretty much been an expensive paperweight. I called Customer Care and explained my situation. They said I need to talk to Tech Support and that she'd transfer me. I asked for the number in case the called got dropped and she "didn't have the number". (How was she to transfer me if she didn't have the number? Still baffled about that one...) I digress... while transferring me to Tech Support, wouldn't ya know it... the call dropped, so I had to call back. After doing this three times, I was able to finally speak to someone in Tech Support. He was helpful... almost a little too helpful. What I mean is... once I explained my issue, he didn't even bother attempting to troubleshoot, he just sent me a "refurbished" phone. This phone was "possessed" as well. Same issues. I have not done anything YET with this second phone. I do not want to go through the hassle of trying to reach someone before my phone drops the call, having to explain the issue multiple times and getting a "like new" phone that has the same problems... not to mention having to go through and basically set up a new phone.

I absolutely do not want something for nothing. However, I paid for this phone, pay my bill every month and have been a customer for 8+ years. I would simply like a phone that works. That's all. I don't think I'm asking for too much.

So, to whoever it is that thinks this issue is "solved", it's not. It is my personal phone, but I do use it for business purposes and it is rather embarrassing to be in the middle of a call with a client and have my phone drop the call.

Frustration is name of the game apparently... but I am to the point of defeat and ready to give up and live with my "possessed phone" until my upgrade date (12/22/2012... a year from now) since there seems that there is not a whole lot I can do about it.

I suppose defeat is also the name of game...  

[wardcst24]

I find it Interesting after ED05 my phone was working perfect .

I went through two months of hell with missed calls going right to voicemail

sent phone in 6 times and so many so called fixes ED01,ED03,ED04

My phone has been running great on ED05  But than Verizon and Samsung Broke it with EH03

I am now having Dropped calls with EH03 and trickle charge is broke

WAY TO GO SAMSUNG AND VERIZON NICE JOB

[NuDroidUsrr]

---

wardcst24 wrote:

I find it Interesting after ED05 my phone was working perfect .

I went through two months of hell with missed calls going right to voicemail

sent phone in 6 times and so many so called fixes ED01,ED03,ED04

My phone has been running great on ED05  But than Verizon and Samsung Broke it with EH03

I am now having Dropped calls with EH03 and trickle charge is broke

WAY TO GO SAMSUNG AND VERIZON NICE JOB

---

  My biggest question to Verizon would be "Why did they force the update, rather than having to accept it before it installed?" I have seen so many posts about it automatically happening, and I talked to a friend of mine who has the phone, and was going to wait for a month or so until the bugs worked out to see about doing the update, and when I looked at her phone, lo and behold, it was updated to Gingerbread, and she didn't even know it.

  It is the same thing as what happened with the Talkback/Kickback/Soundback app forced update and install. You did not get a chance to ok it before it did it, it just did....

[lifegoeson]

I've had my phone for over a year now and don't really have issues with dropped calls. I've done all the system updates also.